WELL known Cairns business woman and councillor Linda Cooper has thrown her support behind local cancer patients.
Cr Cooper today issued a challenge to other councillors and staff within Cairns Regional Council, as well as regional councils in the area, to help fundraise for Dry July.
“I'm aiming to have 50 councillors and staff from Cairns Regional Council take part in Dry July with me, and I'm calling for other councils in the region to do the same,” Cr Cooper said.
People who register to take part in Dry July and nominate the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation as their beneficiary, will be helping cancer patients in outlying centres.
Dry July is an international fundraising initiative where participants sign up to “Go Dry” and not drink alcohol for the month of July. Through the financial support they receive from friends, family and colleagues, the Dry July Foundation funds wellness programs, comfort items, transport services, accommodation projects, hospital furnishings and entertainment items.
Foundation fundraising and event co-ordinator Gaby Thomasz said outlying hospitals Mossman, Atherton, Mareeba and Atherton would be the beneficiaries of this year's fundraising efforts.
“We know that health outcomes for people in regional areas, are not as good as for those in our major centres, which was why we decided to help improve cancer facilities in these outlying facilities,” she said.
Last year, the Foundation received almost $40, 000 which was used by the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre to buy treatment chairs and a PhysioTouch massage therapy device.
Since 2013, Dry July has raised more than $145, 000 to help cancer patients in the Far North. The money has bought medical equipment such as chemotherapy pumps which deliver medication while allowing a patient to be mobile.
To sign up for Dry July with the Foundation as the beneficiary, click HERE.
